The Meaning and Use of Sudanese Proverbs
10.5 Solidarity as seen in Sudanese proverbs:
The proverb describes a greedy person who talks softly, but never gives or spends when help is needed.
ا,;VVVVV3 4VVVVV' ن4VVVVVW +ا ح,VVVVV" VVVVVI+ ا,;VVVVV3 pVVVVVW+ا ح,VVVVV"
Jarih' al-seaf bibra lakin jarih' al-lisan ma bibra
The wound of a sword will heal, but not one caused by a tongue (638)
The point of this proverb is that the harm caused by words lasts long. Words can be more painful than the wound from a sword.
=94VVVVVVVW 3 ,AVVVVVVVND 4VVVVVVV' =VVVVVV ",3 ,AVVVVVVXأ Aa'tar birijlak ma ta'tar bilisanak
Stumble with your foot; do not stumble with your tongue (640)
The teaching of this proverb is to be careful about your words. Stumbling with your foot may cause personal pain, but stumbling with the tongue will cause pain to someone else.
ﻮﻴﺧﺃ ﰲ ﻲﻜﺘﺑ ﺖﻟﺎﻣ ﻥﺎﻛ ﻩﺮﺠﺷ
Shajara kan malat bitaki fi akhiyo
When a tree sags, it leans on its sister (the nearest tree) (642)
This proverb is originally from Darfur and has been adopted by all Sudanese. It illustrates the solidarity of the people of the Sudan. The rich should support the poor and the strong support the weak. The proverb may be recited to any person to encourage her/him to seek help from family or relatives without embarrassment.
E+ا c;qYا
0"E+ا G<[3 4' LRا
Al-as'bba' al-wah'id ma bighati al-wajih One finger will not cover the face (643)
This proverb comments on the importance of solidarity and cooperation. A relative commenting on this proverb said that if you put one finger on your face to cover it, you will cover only a small part of it, but with your five fingers, you can cover your face. She continued that one cannot live without the help of others.
0VVVVVV5 +ا GVVVVVVH 0VVVVVVآ,;+ا Al-barraka fi elamma
Blessing is in being many (645)
The value expressed by this proverb is that unity is good. People use it to encourage being together.
5+4VVVVVVN+ا ب,VVVVVV3 TVVVVVVI+او س4VVVVVV@+43 س4VVVVVV@+ا
An-nas ben-nas wal-kul berab al-a'lameen
People support one another, but all together are supported by God (646)
In spite of their social differences, people need each other. The proverb remarks on the need for support between individuals or among group members no matter what their status or capability, as God will support all of them together.
س4VVV@"أ 4VVV' فhوا س4VVV@+ا Al-nass awlaff ma ajnass
People are companions not relatives (647)
This proverb is used to assert the value of relationships based on love and friendship, compared to the relationship between relatives. It is used to encourage people not to limit their companionship to their relatives.
VVVVVX pVVVVV+ا م,VVVVVID ةLVVVVVRاE+ا VVVVVN+ا Al-a'yn al-wah'da takrim alf a'yin.
One eye respects a thousand eyes (648)
This proverb throws light upon Sudanese social life. It comments that if you have a good relationship with one member of a family, you must respect anyone who is related to her/him. Moreover, you should perform all the social duties towards the members of that family.
My mother usually uses this proverb. Recently, I talked to her about her hard work to help a person who once behaved badly towards her. She advised me that we should not blame a person or his behaviour at a time when he needs us. In addition, she was acting for the sake of his family as they have good morals. She then quoted the proverb.
pa+ا م,Iُ2 ,`;+ا ن4K k X
A'la shan al-bah'ar yukram al-geaf
For the sea's sake, the beach is honoured (649)
Because people are afraid of falling into the sea, they walk carefully on the beach. The proverb uses this metaphor to comment that people respect the relative of a respected person for his sake, even if the relative does not himself deserve respect.
ZVVVVV"4`+ا kVVVVV X kVVVVV NA3 4VVVVV' VVVVVN+ا Al-a'yin ma bita'la a'la al-h'ajib
The eye never stands higher than its eyebrow (650)
It is natural that the eyebrow is above the eye. The metaphor is used to express the social relationship between higher and lower positions, observing that those who are of low status will never be higher than those who are of higher status. However, currently this type of hierarchical relationship no longer exists. Some people sometimes use this proverb in family relationships to show respect to parents or the elderly
0VVVVVV ه43 VVVVV`2 ءkVVVVVW+ا ,VVVVVI5+ا
Al-makr al- sayyio yah'itu bi-ahlihi Malice surrounds its perpetrators (651)
This classical proverb is derived from the Quran, Surah 35, (Fat'ir), verse 43 and has the same meaning. The word OVVVVVVV`2 (surrounds) in the Quranic verse is substituted by the word `2 (surrounds) in the proverb. The proverb teaches that malice has bad
consequences for those who use it against others.
EVVVVV"E+ا kVVVVVa;Dو حو,VVVVV3 ل4VVVVV5+ا
Al-mal biroah' watabqa al-wojoh Wealth will go and faces remain (652)
This proverb counsels that fortune and money do not last long, but relationships between people remain. People use this proverb to condemn those who change according to their wealth and to encourage good relationships with others regardless of their social status.
ZVVVVV I+ا hإ 0VVVVV94I' GVVVVVH _VVVVV;@2 4VVVVV' Ma yanbah' fi makanu ila al-kalib Only the dog barks in its home (653)
The point of this proverb is that one should respect visitors and not do anything that might harm them. It is used to encourage people to show a warm welcome to their guests.
)*+EVVVVVV5R 24VVVVVVK )هرEVVVVVV;M GVVVVVVH Fi quborum shailean h'umoalum
Even in their graves, they take their responsibilities (656)
This proverb observes that some people continue to be responsible for their families even after death. It refers to those who are or were responsible for large extended families and have wealth; they leave it for their families. The members of such families continue to look after themselves using the money left for them by their dead relative. People use this proverb to praise their responsible and kind relatives.
0@VVVVV7و ب4VVVVVAآ ىرEVVVVVU+ا Al-shura kitab wa sunna
The Quran and the Sunna prefer consultation (657)
As both the Quran and the Sunna (of the Prophet Mohammad) emphasize consultation, Muslims prefer to consult each other before they take decisions. People use this proverb as a reminder that this advice is not given only by people but by their religion as well.
ب,VVVVVn3 4VVVVV' ىرEVVVVVU+ا 8VVVVV3 Bait ashura ma khirib
A house of consensus never falls apart (658)
As the extended family is a cornerstone in the Sudanese social structure, matters of what other societies might consider as individual privacy are considered to be family concerns in Sudan. Issues like marriage, divorce, buying or selling are not considered individual matters, so discussions about them might reach beyond the extended family to distant relatives, family friends or even the elderly and those considered as wise in a village or
small town. Therefore, a group decision is considered to be a right decision, which the one who consults others’ opinion will never regret. This proverb is used to advise people not to take individual decisions.
On the other hand, people might contradict this proverb by saying that each person should find the solution to his own problems. In such a situation, they use the following proverb:
0VVVq%F ف,VVVN2 0VVV7ار GVVVH 0VVV aX LVVVRاو TVVVآ Kulu wah’id a'glu fi rasu ya'rif khalas'u
Every one has his brain in his head, so he ought to be able to get out of his troubles (660)
كEVVVV]+ يEVVVV. TVVVVAI3 4VVVV' Ma baktul d'awi lid'awak
I will not put out my light for your light (661)
The above proverb comments that both of us are capable of generosity; therefore, I will not put my light out, so that when guests come to town they go only to your house. The proverb is used to explain that a person is happy to take the initiative in generosity.
ﺮﻃﺎﳋﺍ ﱪﺟ ﻦﻣ ﺮﺜﻛﺄﺑ ﷲﺍ ﺪﺒﻋ ﺎﻣ
Ma a'ubid Allah bi aktar min jabr al-khatir
God has not been worshiped with anything greater than comforting others (662) This proverb counsels that one of the best ways to worship is to treat people with kindness, conciliate them and help them when they are in need. It is used to encourage solidarity.
ء45VVVW+ا GVVVH VVV' )I5R,VVV2 ضرYا GVVVH VVV' اEVVV5Rرأ
Arh'amo mann fi al-ard' yarh'mekum mann fi al-sama
Show mercy to those who are on earth: He who is in heaven will have mercy upon you (663)
The lesson of this proverb is that God will be merciful towards people if they pity those who need help. People use this proverb to encourage kind treatment and solidarity in their community.
ZVVVVVVWR ZVVVVVW@+ا Al-nasab h'asab
Where one marries determines one's honour (665)
Relationship by marriage is highly respected by Sudanese. One should to the best of one’s ability show respect to relatives by marriage. The teaching of this proverb is that whatever family you married from, you have to respect its members.
ﺎﳌﺍ ﻚﻣﻻ ﺎﻣ ﻙﺭﺍﺩ
Al-ma darak ma lamak
He who does not like you, would not blame you (666)
The one who blames you in a friendly way probably wants you to correct a mistake or to establish good relationship with you. This proverb is used to encourage people to accept admonition by friends, for they do it for a friend's benefit and out of good will.
EVVVVVN"EA;+ا LVVVVV2أ VVVVV' 0IVVVVVW5D 4VVVVV' Ma tamsiku min eidu al-bitawja'u
Do not hold him by the hand that pains him (667)
You should not put pressure on a person when he is in a weak position and cannot deal with a situation. This proverb emphasises the importance of indulgence in human relationship, especially in business and paying debts.
كE '4VVVN2 ZVVV`D 4VVV' يز س4VVV@+ا TVVV'4X
A'amil al-nas zay matih'ib yaa'milook
Treat people in the way you want to be treated (668)
The proverb is used to encourage people to establish fair relationships.
E3ر4VVVVVVV]2 VVVVVVV<;+ا GVVVVVVVH 2ر4VVVVVVVQ5+ا Al-mas'areen fi al-batun yid'arbu
The entrails in one's belly quarrel with each other (669)
The proverb tends to be quoted to calm those who overreact when they have a
confrontation with others. It implies that people cannot avoid some misunderstandings if they live together in one community. Therefore, one should not be aggressive or end relationships with others because of disagreements.
EVVVVVW5+ا GH4VVVVV' =VVVVV7ار =VVVVV+ E+4VVVVVM VVVVV@Dا ن4VVVVVآ Kan itnean galoo leak rasak mafi almasoo
If two people tell you that your head is not there, touch it (to make sure that it is there) (670)
The meaning of this proverb is that if you are criticized or advised more than once about the same thing, you should listen or at least rethink what you are doing. The proverb is used to encourage people to listen to each other's advice.
4A;VVVVVVVQN3 0VVVVVVVa N' 4D4VVVVVVVK TVVVVVVVآ
Kullu shatan moa'llaqa bi a's'abata
Every sheep is hung from its own gut (671)
This proverb advises that each person is responsible for his own mistake and no one is punished for someone else's mistake.
0VVVVV "4X ,;VVVV+ا ,VVVVF
Khiyear al-birri a'ajulho
The best charity is the quickest charity (672)
This proverb counsels that performance of good deeds should be quick and timely.
People use it to encourage helping the needy at the earliest time.
0VVVVVVVH,l GVVVVVVH اEVVVVVVUa2و اE آ4VVVVVV2 Yaklu wa yigushu fi tarfu
They eat and clean their hands on his clothes (673)
This proverb describes a tolerant person who forgives his enemies as well as his friends by saying that people eat his food and clean their hands on his clothes. It exaggerates in order to praise.
موLVVVVVVVVN53 pVVVVVVVV IAD hو دEVVVVVVVV"E53 TVVVVVVVVn;D h
La tabekhal bimawjoad wa la titkalaf bima'doam
Do not be stingy with what you have and do not burden yourself with what you do not have (674)
This proverb advises that you should spend within your means and not become greedy.
You should not spend so much that you put yourself in financial problems. This proverb is used to encourage people to be moderate in spending their money.
p VVVVV7 4VVVVV5X oا 4VVVVVPX A'afa Allah a'ama salaf
God has condoned the past (675)
The point of this proverb is that God forgives people for what they do, so people should forgive each other. People use this proverb to praise forgiveness and to encourage people not to remind each other of their mistakes.
4VVVVVVP" ب4VVVVVVAN+ا ة,AVVVVVVآ Katarat al-a'itab jaffa
Too much admonition is counter-productive (676)
The point of this proverb is that one should avoid blaming others unnecessarily, as people will consider it rudeness. The proverb is used to encourage people not to exaggerate in blaming each other.
ZJN+ا T<3 Z;W+ا ف,ُX اذإ
Ida a'urifa al-sabab batala al-a'jab
When the reason is known, wonder ends (44)
This proverb is used to encourage people to know the cause of any problem before they make their judgement.
0l4nُ'و 0N'د ل4'
Mall dama'a wa mukhata
(His) wealth is made from tears and snot (678)
This proverb describes the wealth of the unjust as money made from tears and snot, collected from helpless and weak people who can only cry, being unable to defend themselves. It is used to condemn a person who makes his wealth by oppressing and tyrannising others.
ت4VVVVVV94'Y43 r+4VVVVVVJ5+ا Al-majjaliss bil-amanat
Councils are based on trust (679)
People in villages and small towns choose a group of people whom they consider wise to be responsible for solving their problems. Usually they gather in one place, either a house or a mosque, to discuss matters. Before they leave the place, they remind each other not to talk about the matter in public or to their families as it is considered as private. People
use this proverb to advise each other not to betray others' privacy.
ُ0A@2L' تL*9إ ُ0A@;b ٌiH '
Mann fasha ghabeantu inhadat madeantu He who avenges himself destroys his land (680)
This proverb warns that if a person tries to punish everyone that hurts him, he will destroy his land if he is a governor, and if he is a common person he will lose God's reward. It is used to encourage forgiveness.
ُ0PW3 ب,]@2 GDا,Q@+ا ل4' Tآ4+ا
Al-yakul mall al-nas'rani yend'arib biseafu
He who betrays an unbeliever will be punished with his own sword (681)
This proverb teaches that if a person has made an agreement with anybody regardless of his religion, he should fulfil all his promises. It is used to encourage honesty in all circumstances.
ْن4ه ٌ)َX نإ ) v+ا
Al-t’ulum inn a'ama hann
If injustice prevails, it becomes easy (to tolerate) (683)
If those in authority are unfair to all people it is easier for them to tolerate, but if the injustice is towards only a specific group of people, they will find it difficult to cope with.
People use this proverb to console each other in crisis situations like natural disasters, famine or wars, when everybody becomes needy.
,aAHإ ٌُG@b وأ ٌَلُذ ٍمEM t2tX اE',آأ
Akrimo a'zeez qawmin dalla awo ghaniyun iftaqarr
Honour a noble who has become low or a rich man who has become poor (684) This is a classical proverb used in its standard form by ordinary people and its meaning is very clear. If someone behaves in an unacceptable way towards a noble or a rich man who has lost his status, people use this proverb to advise him to treat them in a respectful manner.
=VVVV94F =`VVVVQ9 4VVV5+ا
Al-ma nas'ah'ak khanak
He who does not advise you has betrayed you (685)
Advice is considered good among the people of the Sudan. Elders are expected to advise youths and children. Relatives and community members should advise each other and share the responsibilities of disciplining children and young people. Your family or people around you might be blamed for not advising you or allowing you to do whatever you like when it is against the social rules, as this proverb emphasises.
\VVVVVV'4a+ا مEVVVVVV2 oا ,AVVVVVV7 ) VVVVVVW' ,AVVVVVV7 VVVVVV'
Munn satar musliman satarhu Allah yaom al-qiyama
Whoever guards a Muslim will be guarded by God on the day of Judgement (686) The proverb encourages people not to expose others' affairs or let them be publicly known. In the Sudanese culture, individual's mistakes are considered personal matters and other people should not talk about them to insult or disgrace the person.
ن4'LVVVVVV9 _ VVVVVVQ+ا G34VVVVV5+ا Al-mabi al-s'uloh' nadman
He who rejects reconciliation will regret it (687)
This proverb is commonly used to advise peacemaking in the Sudan, especially where tribal conflicts are dominant. In rural areas where people share grazing ground and water resources, conflicts are part of daily life. Tribal leaders or local authorities always try to solve such problems in peaceful ways. Any party that refuses help to find solutions will be blamed or even isolated by others, as peacemaking is essential to the rural community.
)2,VVVVVآ _'4VVVVVW5+ا
Al-musamih' kaream
The tolerant one is generous (688)
Tolerance is encouraged by culture and religion. This proverb is used to encourage peaceful relationships within the community.